Press Release dated 09 Nov - Maldivian Youth Delegation visit to India 10-17 November, 2021
A 14-member Maldivian Youth delegation shall visit India from 10-17 November 2021. The visit has been organized by the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYA&S) as part of its International Youth Exchange Programme (IYEP) with Maldives with aim to develop international perspective among the youth of India and Maldives. The youth delegation met with Mr Rohit Rathish, Charge d’Affaires of the High Commission of India today, ahead of their departure. Under a similar IEYP, a 15-Member Maldivian Youth delegation had last visited India from 15-22 March 2018.
As part of the visit, the Maldivian delegation shall visit various Indian cities including New Delhi, Udaipur and Agra and interact with (i) Scientists and students of an Agriculture University to learn about best agricultural practices and latest innovations in the field of agriculture, (ii) entrepreneurs of one of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to understand entrepreneurship among the youth & India’s Start up ecosystem, (iii) Scholars and Researchers of an eminent University, (iv) members of an NGO working for children welfare and women empowerment, (v) members of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)’s Youth Clubs and NYKS Headquarters, (vi) volunteers from National Social Service (NSS). The delegation shall also make presentations on the Maldives, its Youth & Youth Organisations, etc. Besides this, delegation shall also experience cultural programmes as well as visit famous historical monuments and tourist spots.
This visit is being conducted under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India’s MoYA&S and Maldives’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment in November 2020 during the visit of India’s Foreign Secretary Mr Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
India and Maldives have longstanding relations in the fields of education, culture, youth and sports development. In recent years, some of the major initiatives in the area of empowering youth are (i) India-Maldives Technology Adoption Programme in Education Sector in Maldives from 2011-2013 to provide ICT training to Maldivian teachers and youth and for vocational training; (ii) Annual award of 39 ICCR Scholarships to Maldivian youth for pursuing higher education in India; (iii) Grant Assistance for establishing children’s parks in 67 islands and Outdoor gyms in 61 Islands across the Maldives; (iv) EXIM Bank’s LoC agreement for development of Sports Infrastructure which was concluded in September 2021; (v) Development of a state-of-the-art Cricket Stadium in Hulhumale under USD 800 million Line of Credit from EXIM Bank of India.
